"French Immersion Retreat for Adults at Dordogne Château"
French Immersion: Language, Cuisine, Culture
You've studied French before. You have the vocabulary. You know the basics. But when it's time to actually speak, something happens.
The words you practised disappear. Your pronunciation evaporates. You hear yourself stumbling and feel like that awkward beginner all over again. So you switch to English, and the disappointment lingers for days. It's not your fault. You learned French from apps and classes. Now you need to practice it in real life.
Join us for an intimate week at our Dordogne château where you'll finally bridge the gap between knowing French and confidently speaking it. Practice French at local markets, historic sites, during wine tastings, and over meals prepared by Le Cordon Bleu-trained Chefs. No classroom pressure. Small group. Expert instruction. Judgment-free environment.
Leave speaking French with ease, not just understanding it.
Your French Immersion At a Glance
When
June 1-8 2026
8 Days & 7 Nights
Style
Immersive French Practice for Max 10 Guests
Home Base
Privately Owned 16th Century Chateau, with Chef-prepared meals
Retreat Packages
€3995 per person and save with a friend!
Beyond Textbook French
This isn't about memorizing verb conjugations in isolation. It's about applying structured French instruction in real-life contexts - practicing natural phrasing during château tours, perfecting pronunciation while ordering at markets, and building fluency through meaningful conversations over chef-prepared meals.
Trade the classroom for the market. Trade the app for real conversations.
Meet Elodie, your French language mentor who understands that real fluency happens through connection, not memorization. Her expertise in accelerating French learning combines with our authentic château setting to create breakthroughs you'd never achieve in traditional lessons. You'll discover that advancing from basic to confident French isn't about perfect grammar - it's about finding your voice through meaningful conversations over wine, market banter that flows naturally, and château stories that bring history alive in your new language.
French Life Beyond the Lessons
From château breakfast conversations to discoveries in medieval towns' cobblestone streets, you'll experience the rhythm of authentic French living that makes language learning effortless. Think wine tastings where vocabulary flows naturally, cooking sessions with chefs who teach technique and slang, and guided explorations of Hautefort and Jumilhac châteaux where history comes alive through your improving French.
Your French Experiences
French That Clicks
Daily sessions with Elodie feel more like conversations with a friend who happens to know exactly how to unlock your French potential. Our conversation-first approach replaces grammar anxiety with genuine interactions: market visits, wine discovery, chef-prepared regional meals, and connections with locals.
Immersive Practice Opportunities
Picture yourself confidently asking the château guide about 16th-century architecture, bargaining at the local market like you've lived here for years, and discovering that French flows naturally when you're genuinely interested in the conversation.
Culinary Experiences
Learn from our Chefs! Trained at Le Cordon Bleu in cuisine, baking, and pastry, Valerie & Megan are always happy to share their knowledge and a smile. Engage in the cooking lesson, or just pop in to say bonjour for "Chef Snacks"!
Cultural Context Learning
Explore Hautefort's grand halls and Jumilhac's fairy-tale towers while practicing the kind of French that brings history to life. Medieval towns become your classroom where every cobblestone has a story to tell in your improving French.
Château Environment
Your 16th-century home provides the perfect backdrop for natural French conversations, from morning coffee discussions in the garden to evening storytelling sessions by the fireplace with your fellow language adventurers.
Relaxation & Connection
Between lessons, take some down time, enjoy leisurely walks through our grounds, capture some memories, and enjoy quiet moments to let your progress sink in.
Week at a Glance
Each day brings new discoveries while your château remains a comfortable, familiar home base.
Gather most evenings before supper for group discussions about the day's discoveries over cocktails & mocktails.
Your Immersion Guides
Elodie
Your French Teacher
French teacher extraordinaire who's been helping people fall in love with the language. Born in Normandy, Elodie knows what it's like to stumble through a new language - she lived in South America and Spain, making all the mistakes you're probably worried about! She's guided hundreds of students from nervous beginners to confident French speakers.
French as a foreign language (FLE) teacher since 2009, Elodie also holds a master’s degree in pedagogical engineering (specialization in language didactics) from Grenoble university.
Megan & Valérie
Sel Hospitalité Chefs
Let’s face it: French haute cuisine isn’t often associated with fun.
We’re Megan & Val. We’re two Le Cordon Bleu trained chefs hailing from Canada and Haiti, respectively. We met at the prestigious institute in Paris. Between us, we hold diplomas in Cuisine, Pastry & Boulangerie. Over glasses of wine during our studies (we were in Paris, after all), we traded stories, realizing we shared the same views on food & hospitality and the joy that comes from sharing our love of food with others though cooking and education. So, we decided to create Sel with the simple mission of bringing people together through the art of cooking and the pleasure of savouring exceptional food.
Indulge, savour and learn with us during your stay through thoughtfully prepared meals, optional ateliers and our open kitchen policy.
Bonne dégustation!
Stephen & Sara
Manor & Maker Hosts
Your Canadian hosts who've made Dordogne their home while converting a 16th century chateau into a welcoming centre for life-long learners. While working on their French, and discovering the difference between "exposition" and "exhibition", they've been making friends with locals and discovering the joy in authentic French life. They provide insider access to local experiences and ensure your château life is comfortable, welcoming, and authentically French.
Taste of the Périgord
From bustling village markets to the cozy château kitchen, you'll discover why Périgord cuisine is legendary while naturally expanding your French food vocabulary. Think conversations with local vendors about seasonal ingredients, cooking sessions where you learn techniques alongside the French words that describe them, and meal discussions that introduce you to regional specialties. Your château chefs also become your culinary French teachers, sharing recipes and traditions that turn every dinner into delicious language practice. These images capture real moments from past events.
Your Château Home
Return each evening to your enchanting 16th-century château, where period charm meets modern comfort. This heritage property is an integral part of your cultural immersion.
What Awaits You
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Generously sized bedrooms with period character
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Mix of en-suite and shared facilities (max 2 rooms share)
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Elegant common areas for group gathering
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15 hectares of private grounds to explore
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Quiet spaces for reflection
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WiFi throughout for staying connected
Small Group Experience
With maximum 10 guests, you'll form genuine friendships while having space for personal reflection. It's intimate enough to feel like a group of friends, yet organized enough to ensure everything flows smoothly.
Packages
Secure your place with a €1000 deposit, and complete your payment March 1 2026 before we begin this incredible experience together.
Submitting your deposit indicates your acceptance of our Terms & Conditions. Due to our advance planning and small group size, deposits help us secure your exclusive experiences and cannot be returned. For peace of mind, travel insurance ensures you're protected if plans unexpectedly change.
Indulge Yourself
PREMIUM PACKAGE
€3995
Private single occupancy room
Share & Save
€300 OFF
€3695
Shared accommodation with your choice of one or two beds
What's Included
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Expert language instruction by Elodie
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Seven nights château accommodation
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All meals at the chateau
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Wine, beer, or cider with château meals
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All non-alcoholic beverages at the château
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All excursions, guides, and entrance fees
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Transportation for all activities
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Cooking atelier
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Wine tasting
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Small group maximum 10 guests
What's Not Included
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Transportation from your hometown to the pickup point, including airfare, train connections, or car rental
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Meals not served at the château, e.g. excursion lunches
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Baggage, accident, cancellation, nor travel insurance ('cancel for any reason' strongly recommended to protect your investment)
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Personal expenses, passport & visa fees, personal calls
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Alcoholic beverages not served at meals at the château
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Any extra tours or excursions off the property, should you choose to roam
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and any other items not specifically noted as included
What Guests Say
About Elodie
I was lucky to have been introduced to Elodie two years ago while I was looking to further my French after arriving in Geneva. Since then, my French has noticeably improved dramatically thanks to her classes. Though online, her classes are all but boring; they are dynamic and well-tailored to my level and changing needs. Elodie is empathetic and has a knack for teaching a foreign language in a fun, engaging way. She is motivating and her classes are always very well prepared, and she makes herself to be available for any questions and makes you feel so at ease in and outside of the "classroom".
I cannot recommend Elodie enough to anyone who wants to learn French while having fun and results. -- Angela Sun
About Manor & Maker
Stephen and Sara were impeccable hosts and planned a week of excursions and activities that were well rounded (castles, markets, the presentation on the wines of the region and the food throughout) and very informative and fun. I was certainly thinking I am getting our money's worth in terms of food and board, extras and organization plus two of the most pleasant and friendly and thoroughly professional hosts one could hope to meet. -- R.A.
Questions You May Have
What if my French isn't good enough and I can't keep up? This retreat is designed for people who can already handle basic conversations and express themselves on familiar topics. You'll be surprised how quickly you adapt to our immersive environment! Elodie has a gift for making even shy speakers feel comfortable, and your fellow participants are all on similar journeys. Plus, there's something magical about the château setting that makes French feel less intimidating and more like natural conversation. However, if you're still working on basic vocabulary and grammar, you may find this experience overwhelming rather than enjoyable.
Will I be embarrassed if I make mistakes? Mistakes are how you learn! Elodie celebrates them because they show you're pushing yourself. The small group becomes incredibly supportive - you'll find yourself cheering each other on rather than judging. By day three, most people forget to be self-conscious.
What if I'm much older or younger than other participants? Our groups typically span ages 35-70, and the shared passion for French creates instant bonds that transcend age. Many Manor & Maker participants make friendships that last beyond the week, regardless of age differences.
Will there be any downtime, or is it French all day every day? While French flows naturally throughout the day, you'll have plenty of relaxed moments. There's time for peaceful walks in our grounds, quiet reading time, and informal wine tastings where conversation happens organically. It's immersive without being overwhelming.
What if I'm traveling solo and feel out of place? Many of our participants are solo travelers! The château setting and shared learning experience create instant camaraderie. You'll likely leave with new friends and maybe even future travel companions.
Can you accommodate my dietary restrictions? Our chefs work with various dietary needs. We've successfully accommodated vegetarian, gluten-free, and other requirements - just let us know what you need. Our family kitchen is not kosher or halal-approved, and high-risk allergens may not be accommodated. Please send us an email to inquire.
Where are you located & how do I get there? We are in the Dordogne department, in the cute little town of St Germain des Pres. You can find out more on our Getting Here page. Please take advantage of the complimentary services of our travel partner to ensure the smoothest arrival & departure experiences.
Live French. Don't just learn it.
Join Elodie and fellow francophiles for an immersive language adventure in the heart of France. Let your confidence flourish while savoring château life, exploring medieval towns, and discovering that the best conversations happen when you stop worrying about perfection and start enjoying the journey.